Green tax
Australia has decided to jack up the price of computers
sold in the country in a bid to raise cash for a national recycling programme
for electronic gear. Aimed at saving large amounts of hazardous material from
going to landfill each year, the scheme will be based on existing voluntary
programs where suppliers agree to take back old equipment.
Research commissioned by the ministers found people would
be willing to pay an average of $30 more for a new television or computer if
they could take it back to the supplier when they no longer wanted it. Less
than 10 per cent of televisions and computers are recycled. A report released last month found the number of
electronic appliances being dumped is increasing. About 234 million computers,
televisions and mobile phones were thrown out last year, an increase of 41
million on the year before.
Manufacturers want a system that would oblige
manufacturers to take greater responsibility for the collection and disposal of
unwanted appliances, but want it set up on a voluntary basis.